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A Regional Computer‐based Blood Inventory Information System
Author(s) -
Frankfurter G. M.,
Jelmert A. E.,
Pegels C. C.,
Seagle J. P.,
Wallace E. L.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.1970.tb00730.x
Subject(s) - unit (ring theory) , operations management , computer science , expiration date , medicine , medical emergency , operations research , engineering , psychology , chemistry , mathematics education , food science
A computer‐based blood inventory system for a regional blood distribution center is described. The inventory system keeps track of every unit of blood outstanding in affiliated hospital blood banks. Information recorded and updated daily for each blood unit consists of unit number, blood type, expiration date, date received by hospital, and state of availability in regard to reservation for a patient. The computer used is a time‐sharing system with teletypewriter connections. The system can be updated to reflect shipments, transfusions, transfers, etc., at any time of the day, but to keep cost down it is updated only once each day. Affiliated hospitals may contact the computer system directly to acquire their inventory reports. Alternatively, the reports can be sent to them. A variety of summary statistics are produced daily for planning and control.